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Law School Enters into Three Exchange Agreements with Renowned Law Schools in China

The Case Western Reserve University School of Law has entered into exchange agreements with law schools at Fudan University and East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL), both in Shanghai, and Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SUPSL) in Chongqing for student and faculty exchanges. The three law schools are among the best in China.

Each of the agreements permits CWRU law students to spend a semester at the Chinese law schools and for Chinese law students to attend CWRU. In each case, students can earn credits that can be fully applied at their home schools. CWRU exchange students pay regular tuition to CWRU. Their only significant additional expense is transportation to China, which is typically offset by lower housing costs in China. CWRU exchange students have the choice of living in dormitories or apartments near campus. They will be able to take a range of courses taught in English, as well as classes in Mandarin if students are fluent.

CWRU law students will also be eligible for unpaid internships at major international law firms following their academic studies at the Chinese law school. Jones Day in Shanghai has agreed to take qualified interns, and additional law firms are being contacted.

The first exchanges began at the start of the fall 2010 semester. CWRU currently has one law student attending Fudan and is hosting two students from Fudan.

“These new exchange agreements position Case Western Reserve University School of Law to be a leader in preparing the next generation of lawyers from both countries to play an important role in the fast growing area of trade and business between China and the United States,” stated Professor Michael P. Scharf, Director of the School of Law’s Frederick K. Cox International Law Center.

The agreements also contemplate faculty exchanges and collaboration among CWRU and Chinese law faculty on legal projects. Law professors from Fudan and ECUPL have presented mini-courses in the Case Abroad at Home program on "Doing Business in China" and "Chinese Criminal Law." A law professor from SUPSL has been invited to present a Chinese intellectual property course at CWRU in August 2011. CWRU’s Professor Jon Groetzinger delivered lectures at Fudan and ECUPL in March 2010 on "U.S. Business Laws Applicable to China-U.S. Transactions" and "U.S. Client Expectations of Chinese Counsel." Professor Groetzinger has been appointed Director of Chinese Legal Programs at the CWRU School of Law.

“To the advantage of all who participate, and to our respective countries, our students and faculty will have the opportunity to engage with fine Chinese law schools, participate in dialogue with Chinese peers and contribute to the continuing development of the relationship between our two countries,” said Robert H. Rawson, Jr., Interim Dean.